Exerciser



Oct. 26, 1937.

J. H. MARSHMAN EXERCISER Filed July 22, 193

6 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Oct. 26, 1937. J. H. MARSHMAN 2,097,375

EXERCISER Filed July 22, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORN EYs Patented Oct. 26, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

The invention relates to an exerciser and more especially to a body harness for exercising purposes.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a harness of this character, wherein the same is susceptible of adjustment to fit persons of different body build and when worn will enable the exercising of the arms, legs, chest and other portions of the body for muscular development and body building.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a harness of this character, wherein the general make-up thereof and detail characteristics are novel so that when a user is operating the same he will be resisted in said movements of the body, arms and legs as well as the feet so that these portions of the body can be vigorously exercised in the development and body building of such user.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a harness ofthis character, wherein the construction thereof enables different adjustments and in this fashion assuring the exercising of the entire body for promoting good health and physical stimulation.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a harness of this character, which is simple in its construction, thoroughly reliable and effective in its operation, strong, durable, and 30 inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in 5 the accompanying drawings, which disclose the preferred embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the harness constructed in accordance with the invention applied to a wearer.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through one of the shoes employed with the harness.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the harness.

Figure 6 is a sectional View on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the harness in its make-up comprises a Waist belt or girdle l0 equipped with a buckle ll so that adjustment may be had for the proper fitting to a wearer. Above this belt or girdle Ill is a chest strap I2, it

being equipped with a buckle l3 for adjustment.

Fixed to the belt or girdle i El and the chest strap 12 are vertically directed front and rear straps l4 and I5, respectively, which continue into shoulder straps l6 above the chest strap l2, these straps I4 and I5 being fixed to the said belt or girdle Ill and the strap I 2 at I l and I8, respectively.

The straps I4 and i5 between the belt or girdle l0 and the chest strap l2 are equipped with buckles 19 for adjustment as to length in the separation of the said belt or girdle and the chest strap with relation to each other while the shoulder straps I6 are also equipped with buckles 20 for adjustment thereof.

Adapted to be worn by the feet of the user or operator of the harness is a pair of shoes 2|, each having built therein at its toe and heel metallic reinforcements 22 and 23, respectively. These reinforcements 22 and 23 have hinged thereto stirrup flaps 24 and 25, respectively, the latter being hinged at 26 to the toe reinforcement 22 while the flap 24 is hinged at 2? to the heel reinforcement 23 in a manner that these flaps will swing at substantially right angles to each other for bridging the instep area of the shoe 2|. The flap 2 3 is provided with an eye 28 which is received in a slot 29 therefor provided in the flap while the toe reinforcement 22 is provided with an eye 39 received in an opening 3i in the fiap 24 so that the latter can be fastened in a closed position through the medium of a latch 32 engageable in the eye when the said flap is so closed. Provided on the heel reinforcement 23 and projected outwardly from the heel end of the shoe 2| is an eye 33, these eyes 28 and 33 being for a purpose presently described.

The shoulder straps l6 above the chest strap i2 have fixed thereto a cross brace or strap 34 and worn by the waist belt or girdle ill both at the front and rear of the harness are eyes 35, these being fixed thereto for separable engagement of snap hooks 36 therewith carried at the upper ends of elastic cords or cables 31, these at the lower ends having the snap hOOkS 33 for S p arable engagement with the eyes 28 and 33 on the shoes 2|. Now these cords or cables 3'! can be worn in pairs at the front and rear of the harness or at the front or rear only according to the selection of the user or wearer of the harness and in adapting the latter for certain exercises of the legs when using said harness.

The chest strap |2 at its front carries eyes 39 for separable engagement by snap hooks 40 on the inner ends of elastic cords or cables 4|, which at their outer ends carry loop-like hand holds or grips 42, these cords or cables 4| are serviceable for exercising the arms and body for development thereof.

The cross brace or strap 34 carries eyes 43 so that the snap buckles 48 of the cords or cables 4| can be separably connected therewith at the option of the user of the harness in further exercising the arms and body exercise.

Built within each shoe 2| is an arch support 44.

The flaps 24 and 25 are'made from sheet metal and are located at the tongue opening in each shoe so that such shoe can be conveniently placed on the foot or removed therefrom and all strain from the pair of front cords or cables 31 is direct to the reinforcements 22 and 23 thus relieving this strain from the shoe upper, the shoe being of the leather type although it may be otherwise built.

In the wearing of the harness the belt or girdle ||l embraces the body of the user at the waist line while the chest strap |2 embraces the chest area and is trained about the back and chest, these straps being fastened while the shoulder straps IS are extended over the shoulders of such wearer. Now the cords or cables 31 and 4| are attached and under manipulation of the arms and legs of the wearer exercising thereof and the body results for body and muscle building.

What is claimed is:

1. In a harness, an adjustable waist girdle, a chest strap, adjustable strap connections between the girdle and said chest strap, shoulder straps connected with the chest strap, footwear having toe and heel coverage, elastic members separably engaged fore and aft with the footwear and said girdle, means on the footwear for relieving direct strain on their toe and heel coverage and hand operable elastic members engageable with the chest strap.

2. In a harness, an adjustable waist girdle, a chest strap, adjustable strap connections between the girdle and said chest strap, shoulder straps connected with the chest strap, footwear having toe and heel coverage, elastic members separably engaged fore and aft with the footwear and said girdle, means on the footwear for relieving direct strain on their toe and heel coverage, hand operable elastic members engageable with the chest strap, and a cross brace strap connected with the shoulder straps and having means for separably connecting the hand operated members therewith.

3. In a harness, an adjustable waist girdle, a chest strap, adjustable strap connections between the girdle and said chest strap, shoulder straps connected with the chest strap, footwear having toe and heel coverage, elastic members separably engaged fore and aft with the footwear and said girdle, means on the footwear for relieving direct strain on their toe and heel coverage, hand operable elastic members engageable with the chest strap, a cross brace strap connected with the shoulder straps and. having means for separably cennecting the hand operated members therewith, and means for adjusting the chest strap.

4. In a harness, an adjustable waist girdle, a

chest strap, adjustable strap connections between the girdle and said chest strap, shoulder straps connected with the chest strap, footwear having toe and heel coverage, elastic members...

separably engaged fore and aft with the footwear and said girdle, means on the footwear for relieving direct strain on their toe and heel coverage, hand operable elastic members engageable with the chest strap, a cross brace strap connected with the shoulder straps and having means for separably connecting the hand operated members therewith, means for adjusting the chest strap, and means for adjusting the shoulder straps.

JAMES H. MARSHMAN. 

